A confederation of Dalit bodies today demanded reservation of jobs and promotion in private sector during a convention held at Ramlila ground here today and claimed that it will strengthen the country's economy.

"Participation of Dalits and tribals in private sector in negligible. If their participation is increased through reservation, the country's economy will also get a boost," BJP MP Udit Raj, who is also the chairman of All India Confederation of SC, ST Organizations, said.

The 19th convention of the Confederation was attended by its members and office bearers from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Jharkhand and other states.

Without opportunity, merit means nothing and reservation will help Dalits and tribals contribute to the growth of the nation on equal footing with other communities, Raj claimed.

"Merit is not acquired by birth. It is recognised only when one gets opportunity. I would request the government and the opposition to get the Bill for reservation in promotions in private sector passed in Parliament," he said.

Raj warned the Dalits of the dangers of caste division and asked them fight to retain the right of reservation and work for a casteless society.

The confederation leaders also raised demands of reservation to Dalits and tribals in higher judiciary and armed forces.

Complaining that events and programmes of Dalit organisations don't get much media coverage, Raj called for greater reliance on social media to get noticed.

He also emphasised on the significance of "uniform education" in the country to help Dalits and tribals to come to the mainstream.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)